5th NYC Downtown Short Film Festival

In today's attention-deficient world of YouTube, IMs, and blog posts, the short film has never been more relevant. The same can be said for the Annual NYC Downtown Short Film Festival, which attracts more submissions and a larger audience every year.

The NYCDSFF began four years ago with 12 submissions. Last year, 1,000s of films were submitted—so many that the Festival Committee began holding monthly Audience Choice Screenings, with the winning films earning a spot at this year's fest. Every year is a sell-out, so the 2009 festival is being expanded to seven nights. Showcasing some of the best short films being produced in America and internationally, the festival's line-up includes provocative dramas, clever comedies, edgy animation, and intriguing documentaries. Films from the USA as well as from Spain, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, France, England.

At our Audience Choice screenings audiences watched four to five short movies each night and were given a ballot to rate each film. The highest rated films have been asked to be screened at our Festival April 27-May 3, 2009.

This year, in addition to awards in Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Animation and Latino, we will offer an Audience Choice Award. At every screening, the audience will be given a ballot to vote and once again the highest voted film will receive this award.

Michelangelo Alasa', the Artistic Director for the Duo Multicultural Arts Center, spoke of the festival's simplicity, stating that there are no corporate sponsorships, no red carpets or premieres. Without all these trappings, festival-goers are able to enjoy the succinct experience of what a film fest is all about.

You usually spend 2 hours and over $12.00 to see a single movie. We give you 4-5 well crafted films for $10.00. Our screening room is a charming and intimate turn of the century theater with wide aisles for viewing comfort. Each evening's programming will last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. We are featuring some of the best short films being produced internationally as well as the work of established American actors and directors.

You are welcome to join the filmmakers at a complimentary wine reception after each evening.

Tickets $15 at the door (if available. Late seating at the discretion of the management.)

Monday April 27 8 PM

His Good Will Directed by: Cayman Grant Drama 'HIS GOOD WILL' is a heart-warming story set in 1950 about a young boy struggling against poverty in a small town, and how his innocence and optimism, in the simplest of ways, touch those around him.

Museum Scandals Directed by: Sande Shurin Comedy At a fundraiser for an important New York City museum taking place in a trendy underground Soho art gallery, how far will they go to raise funds, how far will reporters go to make headlines and how far will people go to be seen and rub shoulders with the 'right' people?

Word on the $treet Directed by: Nick Barbieri Comedy A young latino drug dealer finds himself way over his head. Partying within the New York City nightlife is pushing him over the edge he owes his ruthless boss money that he does not have and corrupt cops are trying to kill him. Crime in the big apple has never been this funny.

Forgotten New York: Collect Pond Directed by: Dan Kowalski Documentary 'Forgotten New York: Collect Pond' is the first episode of a series of short documentaries that explores the history of New York City. In this episode we examine Collect Pond. The Pond used to exist in lower Manhattan until it became polluted and was filled in with dirt during the early 1800s. Buildings and streets were errected in it's place and the neighborhood became the infamous Five Points.

Big Pussy Directed by: Todd Strauss-Schulson Comedy A neurotic nice-guy struggles to find the confidence to tell the girl he loves that her vagina has an… odor. (It’s classy we swear.)

Tuesday April 28 8 PM

Sebastian's Voodoo Directed by: Joaquin Baldwin Animation A voodoo doll must find the courage to save his friends from being pinned to death.

Even in My Dreams Directed by: Flavio Alves Comedy Michael, an elderly, world-worn widower, in his pattern of mundane daily urban meanderings, happens upon a Tom of Finland doll in a sex shop window. His fascination with the erotic doll is the trigger for a belated and reluctant sexual self-discovery at the end of a lifetime of sexual repression. A series of dreams and stream-of-consciousness vignettes moves Michael from surprise to hope to love affair ending in violence and betrayal.

Hillel's Angels Directed by: Andrea Scott Documentary There’s an old expression about a Jewish mother’s greatest fear: sons on bikes. In the short documentary, 'Hillel’s Angels', that nightmare becomes a reality, as the world of the Jewish motorcyclist is revealed in all its leather-clad glory.

James Directed by: Connor Clements Drama When James, played by realizes long buried secrets can lead to poor family relations, he feels it's time to confide with his only friend a secret of his
own.

The Potion Directed by: Jeff Naparstek Comedy A man attempts to rekindle the passion in his marriage by secretly administering herbal supplements to his wife. His wife, having the same idea unwittingly double-doses and creates havoc.

Audio Guide Directed by: Caroline Lesley Drama A young woman leaves The Metropolitan Museum of Art and forgets to return her audio guide, only to discover its magical powers in her everyday world.

You Don't Know Me Directed by: Sean Melia Drama Neil has a killer idea for a viral video. It involves a couple hidden cameras, a dead body and his uptight buddy Michael, who doesn't know that he's the star of the show. It was supposed to be funny... How well do you really know your friends?

La Juerga Directed by: Michael Louis Hill Latino Hosting an exchange student, a señora discovers it's never too late to try on some new shoes.

Draw Directed by: Ryan Pearce Drama When poker hustler falls into debt to a neighborhood loan shark, his life begins to fall apart.

Chroma Chameleon Directed by: Marc Adler & Warren Grubb Animation Chameleons don’t just dance, they “chrome” – an explosive combination of crazy moves with wild bursts of color changing. A timid chameleon, named Hue, has dreamed of dancing with the other chameleons since he was knee-high to a newt, but he can’t change colors. When Hue attends a dance party, he finds himself unexpectedly thrown on stage, his shortcomings exposed to all.

Blessed the Fruit of Thy Womb Directed by: Sara Seligman Drama At a Mexican family run B&B, a mother and daughter find out the horrible secret of their last guest.

Gah Gah For Caca Directed by: Taylor Armstrong Animation When nature calls a father-to-be, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities.

Friday May 1 8 PM

A Double Whammy Directed by: Russ Camarda Comedy In the comedy A Double Whammy, two women on blind dates vie for the same cafe table and soon discover that the competition has just begun.

Peace Of Mind Directed by: Nathan Crooker Drama A chance encounter on the busy streets of New York brings Stephen and Angelina together. Casual conversation leads to romance until a cruel twist of fate forces them to confront the demons from their past.

Annie's Religion Directed by: Laura D'Antoni Drama Sometimes the truth is best seen through a child's eyes.

Der Pfandlaie Directed by: Frank - Peter Lenze Comedy A young man comes in a pawn shop and needs desperately 200 €! The pawnbroker refuses stubbornly! When a dominatrix suddenly appears the young man learns that one is not like the other in this new kind of pawnshop!

Finding Priya A Prom Date Directed by: Garrett Nantz Comedy The under social, overly sarcastic Priya has found herself without a date to the New Brunswick High School Prom. When her traditional South Indian family go to extremes to help her find 'the most perfect man to take to your dance,' she is introduced to a new host of colorful characters.

Saturday May 2 8 PM

Crossing Numbers Directed by: Abel Gonzalez Comedy If an illegal immigrant falls dead on the Mexican/American border and no one is around. Does anyone care?

Casi 10 Directed by Roberto Alcazar Drama Sometimes going home means staying right where you are.

Kung Pow Wow Directed by: Diana Whitten & Alicia Arinella Comedy Dating is difficult, especially when you order in. 'Kung Pow Wow' is comedic tale about an argument between a couple when the boyfriend isn't sensitive to the needs of his girlfriend's taste buds.

The Art Of Getting Over It Directed by:Trevor St. John Drama Angry and frustrated Cameron Clothier unleashes his rage on those who hurt him, all the while surreptitiously courting an angelic barista in his neighborhood coffee shop and — almost against his will — finding redemption in love.

Reach Directed by: Luke Randall Animation A tiny robot is given the gift of life with only one limitation, the length of his power cable. When a curious bird appears at the workshop window, his lust to live outside of his reach, may be his demise.

Sunday May 3 3 PM

Daniel's Bar Mitzvah Directed by: Michael Raynes Documentary A boy with autism and his family face challenges as they prepare for his Bar Mitzvah and his future.

thinking... Directed by: Marci Adilman Comedy A short, funny, surprising meditation on the 'nature of meditation' from the point of view of a young woman utterly distracted by thoughts of new love, her surroundings, and her colorful imagination.

WIG Directed by: Todd Holland Drama A bald dead woman, her favorite wig stolen by her son, and a family that expects to bury her in it in three days? WIG mines humor in the face of tragedy and brings fresh style to the timeless journey of recovery after loss. “Sometimes you have to cross a line in order to throw one.”

A Xinecóloga Directed by: Alfonso Camarero Latino A gynecologist is confronted by her next patient....a boy!